Auctions of capacity in network industries

Stern, J and Turvey, R (2002) Auctions of capacity in network industries. Working Paper. London Business School Regulation Initiative Working Paper Series.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been much interest in the use of auctions in utility service industries in the UK and in other countries. The most publicised examples have been franchise auctions e.g. auctions for 3G mobile telecom spectrum, the UK auctions of railway operating franchise, etc. However, there has also been growing interest in the use of auctions of network capacity auctions both (a) for the allocation and use of existing capacity and (b) for investment in new capacity. It is these topics that are discussed in this and the other papers include in this special issue of Utilities Policy.